Local nonprofit in recovery mode after temporary setback due to fire
When the staff and volunteers of The Wellness Kitchen and Resource Center learned of a fire in their building on October 21, 2018, their immediate concern was how they would manage to provide healing foods to those in critical need in our local community. Despite the setback, which included smoke and water damage, the non-profit organization is carrying on and is in some ways, stronger than ever.
“The greatest upset wasn’t as much the building or the cleanup,” said Executive Director Gina Grieb, “but the inability to serve those individuals’ lives that rely on us for our healthy nutrient-rich meals each week. The good news is we were able to resume our weekly therapeutic nutrition program starting December 3 thanks to the use of a commercial kitchen by the generous folks of Atascadero Bible Church. Combined with an offer by the people of Fig at Courtney’s House in Templeton, we also have a temporary distribution location in North County.”
Knowing they are now able to continue with their mission and make a huge impact in the lives they serve has been a tremendous relief to Grieb, the staff, and the 55 active volunteers of The Wellness Kitchen.
“The response from the community has just been phenomenal,” said Grieb. “We have received donations from a variety of businesses and individuals, we have more people asking to volunteer, and our administrative offices are able to run thanks to the Dusi Family sharing their warehouse with us. It really is a collaborative effort and we can’t take full credit – we have an amazing community supporting us.”
The fire also forced the closure of The Wellness Kitchen’s storefront and weekday lunch counter. The primary support for the nonprofit, according to Grieb, will be their weekly pre-order service of Healing Foods, Wellness Foods, broths, soups, and Healing Tea.
“The funds that we have been losing will have to be recouped and the pre-order service is one way the community can help us,” said Grieb.
Funds from weekly orders and participation in the 2019 Top Chef Competition events will help support the Pay It Forward Program; Healthy Cooking Programs for Kids, Teens and Adults, and The Wellness Kitchen’s Operation Sustainability.
“What happened was just a temporary setback and we are going to overcome this,” said Grieb. “We are continuing to thrive and make a difference.”
For more information, to order meals, or register for events, visit thewkrc.org.
The Wellness Kitchen Weekly Pre-Order Service
Healing Foods • Wellness Foods • Broths • Soups • Healing Tea
Place orders by midnight Sunday at TheWKRC.org/menu
See website for pick-up locations, days, and times
– Deliveries to the housebound as usual –
